Роберт Гэлбрейт - Lethal White

‘Well, that’s the upper classes for you,’ said Strike. ‘By all means throttle their kids, but don’t touch their horses.’

‘Not entirely fair,’ Robin reproved him. ‘Izzy thinks Raphael was treated appallingly.’

‘Nothing to what he’s got coming to him in Dartmoor,’ said Strike indifferently. ‘My pity’s limited.’

‘Yes,’ said Robin, ‘you made that abundantly clear.’

Their shoes smacked wetly on the shining pavement.

‘CBT still going all right?’ Strike asked, who was limiting the question to once weekly. ‘Keeping up your exercises?’

‘Diligently,’ said Robin.

‘Don’t be flippant, I’m serious—’

‘So am I,’ said Robin, without heat. ‘I’m doing what I’ve got to do. I haven’t had a single panic attack for weeks. How’s your leg?’

‘Getting better. Doing my stretches. Watching my diet.’

‘You just ate half a potato field and most of a cow.’

‘That was the last meal I can charge to the Chiswells,’ said Strike. ‘Wanted to make the most of it. What are your plans this afternoon?’

‘I need to get that file from Andy, then I’ll ring the guy in Finsbury Park and see whether he’ll talk to us. Oh, and Nick and Ilsa said to ask if you want to come for a takeaway curry tonight.’

Robin had caved in to the combined insistence of Nick, Ilsa and Strike himself that going to live in a box room in a house full of strangers was undesirable in the immediate aftermath of being taken hostage at gunpoint. In three days’ time, she would be moving into a room in a flat in Earl’s Court, which she would share with a gay actor friend of Ilsa’s whose previous partner had moved out. Her new flatmate’s stated requirements were cleanliness, sanity and tolerance of irregular hours.

‘Yeah, great,’ said Strike. ‘I’ll have to head back to the office first. Barclay reckons he’s got Dodgy bang to rights this time. Another teenager, going in and out of a hotel together.’

‘Great,’ said Robin. ‘No, I don’t mean great, I mean—’

‘It is great,’ said Strike firmly, as the rain splashed over and around them. ‘Another satisfied client. The bank balance is looking uncharacteristically healthy. Might be able to hike your salary up a bit. Anyway, I’m going up here. See you at Nick and Ilsa’s later, then.’

They parted with a wave, concealing from each other the slight smile that each wore once safely walking away, pleased to know that they would meet again in a few short hours, over curry and beer at Nick and Ilsa’s. But soon Robin had given over her thoughts to the questions needing answers from a man in Finsbury Park.

Head bowed against the rain, she had no attention left to spare for the magnificent mansion past which she was walking, its rain-specked windows facing the great river, its front doors engraved with twin swans.

Acknowledgements

For reasons not entirely related to the complexity of the plot, Lethal White has been one of the most challenging books I’ve written, but it’s also one of my favourites. I truly couldn’t have done it without the help of the following people.

David Shelley, my wonderful editor, allowed me all the time I needed to make the novel exactly what I wanted it to be. Without his understanding, patience and skill, there might not be a Lethal Whi te at all.

My husband Neil read the manuscript while I was writing it. His feedback was invaluable and he also supported me in a thousand practical ways, but I think I’m most grateful for the fact that he never once asked why I decided to write a large, complex novel while also working on a play and two screenplays. I know he knows why, but there aren’t many people who would have resisted the temptation.

Mr Galbraith still can’t quite believe his luck at having a fantastic agent who is also a dear friend. Thank you, The Other Neil (Blair).

Many people helped me research the various locations Strike and Robin visit during the course of this story and gave me the benefit of their experience and knowledge. My deepest thanks to:

Simon Berry and Stephen Fry, who took me for a fabulous, memorable lunch at Pratt’s and enabled me to look at the betting book; Jess Phillips MP, who was incredibly helpful, gave me an insider’s tour of the Commons and Portcullis House and, with Sophie Francis-Cansfield, David Doig and Ian Stevens, answered innumerable questions about life at Westminster; Baroness Joanna Shields, who was so kind and generous with her time, showed me inside DCMS, answered all my questions and enabled me to visit Lancaster House; Raquel Black, who couldn’t have been more helpful, especially in taking pictures when I ran out of battery; Ian Chapman and James Yorke, who gave me a fascinating tour of Lancaster House; and Brian Spanner, for the daytrip to Horse Isle.

I’d be totally lost without my office and home support team. Huge thanks, therefore, to Di Brooks, Danni Cameron, Angela Milne, Ross Milne and Kaisa Tiensuu for their hard work and good humour, both of which are deeply appreciated.

After sixteen years together, I hope Fiona Shapcott knows exactly how much she means to me. Thank you, Fi, for everything you do.

My friend David Goodwin has been an unfailing source of inspiration and this book would not be what it is without him.

The QSC, on the other hand, have just got in the way.

To Mark Hutchinson, Rebecca Salt and Nicky Stonehill, thank you for holding everything together this year, especially those bits when you were holding me together.

Last but never, ever, least: thanks to my children, Jessica, David and Kenzie, for putting up with me. Having a writer for a mother isn’t always an easy shift, but the real world wouldn’t be worth living in without you and Dad.

Rosmersholm epigraphs Complete Works of Henrik Ibsen (Hastings: Delphi Classics, ebook), 2013. Translated by Robert Farquharson.

‘Wherever You Will Go’(p 23 and p 25) Words and Music by Aaron Kamin & Alex Band. © 2001 Alex Band Music/Universal Music Careers/BMG Platinum Songs/Amedeo Music. Universal Music Publishing MGB Limited/BMG Rights Management (US) LLC. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission of Hal Leonard Europe Limited.

‘No Woman No Cry’(p 90 and p 91) Written by Vincent Ford. Published by Fifty Six Hope Road Music Limited/Primary Wave/Blue Mountain Music. All Rights Reserved.

‘ Hear the word of Lachesis, the daughter of necessity’(p 186) The Dialogues of Plato (New York: Scribner, Armstrong & Co, ebook), 1873.

‘Where Have You Been’(p 414) Words and Music by Lukasz Gottwald, Geoff Mack, Adam Wiles, Esther Dean & Henry Russell Walter. © 2012 Kasz Money Publishing/Dat Damn Dean Music/Prescription Songs/Songs Of Universal Inc/Oneirology Publishing/TSJ Merlyn Licensing BV/Hill And Range Southwind Mus S A. Carlin Music Corporation/Kobalt Music Publishing Limited/Universal/MCA Music Limited/EMI Music Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission of Hal Leonard Europe Limited.

‘Niggas In Paris’(p 442 and p 444) Words & Music by Reverend W. A. Donaldson, Kanye West, Chauncey Hollis, Shawn Carter & Mike Dean. © 2011 Unichappell Music Inc. (BMI)/EMI Blackwood Music Inc./Songs Of Universal Inc./Please Gimme My Publishing Inc./U Can’t Teach Bein’ The Shhh Inc./Carter Boys Music (ASCAP)/Papa George Music (BMI). EMI Music Publishing Limited/Universal/MCA Music Limited. All rights on behalf of Papa George Music, Carter Boys Music and Unichappell Music Inc. administered by Warner/Chappell North America Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission of Hal Leonard Europe Limited, Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Warner/Chappell North America Ltd.